Smoke could be seen from Interstate 81 in downtown Syracuse of the blaze on Gibson Road near Route 11A. Onondaga County E-911 received a call shortly after 12:40 p.m. indicating a prairie fire had erupted at the site. It's near the Onondaga Nation School.

Onondaga Nation Fire Chief Ron Shenandoah said the fire apparently started along Gibson Road and that the wind fanned the flames away from the road. Firefighters from the Onondaga Nation and Nedrow departments used pumper trucks to spray high arcs of water on the flames.

At least six hot spots, some in open flame, were visible at 1:15 p.m. A pumper was still dousing flames at 1:35 p.m.

View full sizeDennis Nett / The Post-StandardFirefighters from the Onondaga Nation and Nedrow fight to keep a grass fire under control on Gibson Road.

Shendandoah said he was not sure who owned the land.

State and weather officials have been warning for days that strong winds, dry conditions and warm temperatures could make the region prone to wildfires.